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On 21 February, Young Lives in Peru (Niños del Milenio) presented preliminary findings from the fifth survey round (2016) with the launch of thematic fact sheets at an event held at the Grupo de Análisis para el Desarrollo (GRADE). The fifth survey round was conducted in 2016 with Older Cohort 22-year-olds and Younger Cohort 15-year-olds across our study sites in Peru.

Santiago Cueto, Country Director of Niños del Milenio opened the event by offering introductory remarks and a brief overview of the study. Alan Sánchez, Principal Investigator of Niños del Milenio then presented findings across the areas of: changes in household welfare, growth and nutrition, and education and learning, drawing on the fact sheets which also cover youth transitions (skills, work and family formation), and sample design and approach, available here (Spanish versions available here).

This was followed by an open discussion led by panellists Flor Blanco, Director General of Policies and Strategies of the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion; César Guadalupe, President of the National Council of Education; Fabiola León-Velarde, President of the National Council of Science, Technology and Technological Innovation, and Mary Penny, Co-Principal Investigator of Niños del Milenio.

Changes in Household Welfare: Living standards have improved for the Young Cohort over the past 15 years. However, while some wealth index gaps reduced substantially (for example, access to electricity), others remained the same or have increased (such as the quality of the materials of the walls, ceiling and floors of houses).

Growth and Nutrition:In terms of linear growth, fewer Younger Cohort individuals (16%) showed delayed development than those of the Older Cohort (31%) when they were the same age. There has been a decrease in stunting among urban and rural youth, although rural youth are still most likely to fall behind and suffer food insecurity. In terms of nutrition, the evidence shows that obesity is increasing. 25% of 15-year-olds are overweight/ obese, with a higher prevalence amongst females.

Education and Learning: 22-year-olds of the Older Cohort had greater levels of educational attainment than their parents. Educational attainment and progress through schooling of Younger Cohort individuals is even better than that of the Older Cohort at the same age across all variables. For example, at age 15, 37% of the Younger Cohort were over-age for their grade, compared to 49% of the Older Cohort when they were the same age. However, despite this reported improvement in over-age individuals, many 15-year-olds cannot solve simple mathematical problems. There are also gaps in academic achievement based on socio-demographic characteristics (urban-rural) as shown through cognitive results (based on vocabulary based tests).

The surveys and supporting data collection materials of this fifth survey round will be published on our website over the coming months.